America's Cup champion BMW Oracle Racing of San Francisco on Monday filed its application to defend the oldest trophy in international sports in 2013.
While the filing was a formality for BMW Oracle Racing, it remains to be seen whether another US-based syndicate will step forward to compete for the right to defend the Cup.
One prospective defender group beside BMW Oracle Racing attended a meeting in Paris last month for groups interested in competing in the 34th America's Cup. None of the groups at that meeting were identified.
Monday was the first day of the five-month entry period.
Organizers also received applications from two challenger syndicates. Their identities will be kept confidential while their applications are verified. It will be up to each team to publicly announce its participation.
A fourth entry is the previously declared Italian syndicate Mascalzone Latino, which is the Challenger of Record.
"We're only a few hours into a five-month entry period, so to already have a total of four entries is a very positive sign," Iain Murray, the regatta director and CEO of America's Cup Race Management, said in a statement.
Murray said additional entries are expected soon. Representatives of 24 groups attended last month's meeting. Organizers expect approximately 10 challengers to eventually enter. Britain's TeamOrigin announced last month it wouldn't challenge because the format and timetable weren't viable.
BMW Oracle Racing, owned by software tycoon Larry Ellison, won the oldest trophy in international sports with a two-race sweep of Alinghi of Switzerland in February off Valencia, Spain.
The next America's Cup will be sailed in 72-foot catamarans in a port to be determined. BMW Oracle Racing is considering bids from San Francisco, Valencia and Italy. It plans to pick one by the end of the year.
